This Wednesday the New York Red Bulls host the Philadelphia Union for a second time this season at Red Bull Arena. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m ET.
Here are the Keys to the Game, presented by TriHonda Dealers:
Continue to be “Sharp Like a Knife”
The Red Bulls are on a three-match unbeaten streak in which they’ve outscored their opponents 6-1. In that run, Carlos Coronel and the defensive line have achieved two clean sheets, while Patryk Klimala and Omir Fernandez have combined for five goals in this positive run.
New York currently have the Eastern Conference’s third best defense, right behind Philly and Nashville.
“Yeah, I think my boys always try their best and my boys always try to find spaces, they find synchronized moments, but today, yes, we are sharp like a knife, and I think they feel that from the first second,” said Head Coach Gerhard Struber after the 1-0 win over NYCFC. “Also, I think today, my wingbacks make a great job with good pressing moments. They find always the right triggers and they handle the situation from the first second very good and also, the backline, we have good shifting moments with good distances.
“The six stayed very disciplined in the center with the right time to step out and give Maxi Moralez no chance, no hope to create something and I think this was in the end, a big team win, a big togetherness, a big willingness from the first second and I think this was again too much for New York City FC,” he concluded.
Struber’s Red Bulls are hitting all cylinders at the moment.
Nine Games Left
Time’s running out, and although the Red Bulls are in great form, they’re still seven points of seventh place.
With nine games left, the Red Bulls just need to continue racking up wins, and in their third game of the season against Philly, the only option is to win.
New York’s last home win happened on August 18 against Columbus.
“I mean, we know that the few games that we have coming up are important ones and they are also the teams that are in front of us like right in front of us points wise,” said Kyle Duncan after the win at the Bronx. “So, we know if we beat these teams, we will get back into that seventh spot or maybe even sixth spot or fifth spot. It is really important to us right now.”
Philly Have a 2-4-5 Away Record
Philadelphia will arrive to Red Bull Arena after back-to-back home wins against Orlando City and Atlanta United.
The Union’s last away win happened back on May 23.
Philly’s results away from Subaru Park aren’t ideal, and the Red Bulls should take advantage from the first second.
